Circuit breaker



- Feb. 411s, 1947. G. J. FREESE 2,416,169A

CIRCUIT BHEAKER Filed Aug. 15, 1943 WiTNESSES: INVENTOR /a/ f y @Lig/WMAnomm'@ Planted Feb. 1s. 1947 CIRCUIT BREAKEB Gerald J. Freese, EenMaxeespon, rs., assigner to Westinghouse Electric Corporation. EastPittsburgh,A Pa., a corporation o! Pennsylvania Application August 13,1943, Serial No. 498,462

,Ihis invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly tomanually and automatically operable circuit breakers for controlling andprotecting electrical circuits.

An object of the invention isV to provide a double-throw circuit breakerhaving contact means for controlling either of two circuits, andoperating mechanism manually operable to selectively operate saidcontact means to open or close either` circuit and automaticallyoperable in response to predetermined overload currents to cause openingo! the contact means.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a double-throw circuitbreakerha'ving a releasable actuator tor each pole, each of saidactuators vbeing independently and automatically operable to effectopening of its associated contacts in response to predetermined overloadconditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double-throw circuitbreaker having a manual operating handle operable to selectively closeeither oi' two sets of contacts, and having an individual overloadtripping means including a -sprlng biased releasable trip memberassociated with each set of contacts for tripping the breaker open inresponse to overload currents.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a double-throw circuitbreaker for selectively cone trolling either of two circuits, thebreaker having independently mounted trip devices which controlindependently operable tripping members to effect automatic opening ofrelated circuits in response to overload currents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double-throw circuitbreaker wherein a switch member is operable by a manual member toselectively close either one of two circuits, each of siaid circuitsincluding a, thermostatic element operable to effect automatic openingof its related circuit.

Another object' of the invention is to provide a`=doublethrow circuitbreaker for selectively controlling a plurality of circuits wherein eachcircuit is provided with a related trip device and an actuatorindependently operable to eiect automatic opening of the relatedcircuit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved circuitbreaker mechanism which can be made either a double-throw circuitbreaker or a single-throw circuit breaker by substitution of few partsand without extensive changesV in structure. k

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuitbreaker withnovel operating mecha- 17 Claims. (Cl. 200-116) 2 nlsm having twopositions at which the breaker contacts are closed, so that at one ofthe two closed positions the breaker contacts will be openedautomatically in response to abnormal circuit conditions, and at theother closed position of the mechanism the breaker contacts areprevented from opening.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a manually andautomatically operable circuit breaker mechanism of compact and low-costconstruction which is also usable in a single-throw circuit breaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved circuitbreaker construction that is simple, reliable in operation andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The novel features that are considered char. acteristicof the inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to structure 'and operation, together withadditional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood fromthe following detailed description of several embodiments thereof whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l'is a vertical sectional view of a circuit breaker constructedin accordance with the invention, the section being taken just insideone side wall of the breaker housing;

Fig. 2`is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1, but showing thebreaker in one oi its closed positions; and

Fig.`.3 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing a modiiication oftheinvention.

The circuit breaker is a double-throw circuit breaker and is mounted ina housing comprising a base section Il, having side walls I3 (only onebeing shown), and end walls I5. The housing is of one piece of moldedinsulating material and is provided with a cover plate i1 also ofinsulating material. One circuit of the breaker is controlled by astationary contact i9 and a cooperating movable contact 2l, and theother circuit -is similarly provided with a stationary contact 23 and acooperating movable contact 25. The

stationary contacts i9 -and 23,respectively are I ends extend laterallyinto elongated slots 43 (only one being shown) formed in the side wallsi3 of the housing. A coil spring 45 compressed between a conductor lilsecured to the base i i and the switch member 39 biases the switchmember to a central 01T position against a pair of stops d@ and Sirigidly supported by the side walls iii. For operating the switch membert@ to close the contacts i9-2i or 213-25, there is provided an operatinghandle 53 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 55 supported in the sidewalls it of the housing. The inner end of the handle d3 carries a.

pin 511 upon which is mounted an antifriction roller 59 engaging aV-shaped recess in theswitch member 39.

The contacts iQ-Qi or 253-25 are closed by respectively rotating thehandle dit clockwise or counterclockwise from the off position (Fig. l.)to one or the other of the on positions depending upon the particularcircuit it is desired to close. Assuming that it is desired to close thecontacts i92i, the handle is rotated clockwise to the position shown inFig. 2. During this movement of the handle the roller 59, acting on theleft hand edge of the ii-shaped recess cams the switch member 39 in acounterclockwise direction about the pin M and at the same time movesthe switch member toward the base of the breaker,A the pin di sliding inthe slot dii. Near the end of the clockwise movement of the handle, thecontact ?i engagesthe stationary contact i9 and thereafter, duringclosing movement, the switch member 39 rotates slightly about thecontacts as a fulcrum until the roller 59 engages a holding recess 6i.As the roller is seated in the recess S i, the spring iii biases theswitch member A il@ about the roller 59 in aA direction to apply Thebimetallic elements i3 and 'I5 are respectively Y' connected by means offlexible shunt conductors insulated from the conductors 2l and 29.

lli and it to conductors di' and 83. The conductors di and 33 areshouldered and the narrow portions thereof extend through openings inthe base ii, these conductors being spaced irom'and The ends of thenarrow portions of the conductors 8| 1 and 83 also project throughopenings respectively contact pressure to the closed contacts. As willbe seen in Fig. 2, the spring i5 and the coopera:l

tion of the Inotch Si and the roller 5@ maintains` the contacts i 9--2iclosed and the handle in the on position shown in Fig. 2. Movement cithe handle 53 in the reverse or counterclockwise direction from the oliposition will close the contacts 23--25 in the manner described forclos-v ing the contacts i9-2i except that the movements ofthe parts arereversed.

The contacts are opened by merely/'flipping the handle 53 from either ciits on positions toward the central off position. As soon as the `roller59 is disengaged from either notch ti, the

outward pressure of the spring 55 moves the switcharm 3@ outwardly androtates it about the pivot tl to the open position (Fig. l). The sidewall of the V-shaped recess cams the handle 53 to the ofi positionwherein the roller 59 rests in the apex of the recess.

Means are provided for causing automatic movement of the switch memberit@ to its open position from either one of the closed positions inresponse to an overload in whichever circuit is closed. These meansinclude a vpair of releasable actuators L33 and t5 pivotally supportedon the pin 55 adjacent the handle 53. The'actuators 'extend in oppositedirections from the pin it and are biased in releasing direction bymeans of a coil spring 6l surrounding the pin b5 and i having its endshooked in suitable holes in the The bimetallic elements 'i3 and 'i5 arerigidly mounted respectively in the members 3l and 33.

in terminals d5 and el and are riveted over to rigidly secure theconductors iii and 83 and the corresponding terminals t5 and 8l to thebase.

The switch member 39 is connected by means of a flexible shunt conductortti to the central conductor el. The conductor il is rigidly secured tothe base by means of a rivet 9i which also serves to secure an externalline terminal 93 to the base.

may be traced as follows: One circuit extends from the line terminal 93through the rivet 9i, conductor el, flexible shunt conductor t9, switchmember 3Q, contacts 2i and i9 when closed, conductor t?, member 3 i,bimetal element 13, flexible shunt conductor lli, conductor ti to theload terminal 85. The other circuit extends from the line terminal tt,rivet 9i, conductor dl, exible shunt conductor iig, the switch member39, contacts 25-23 when closed, conductor 2.1i, member 33, bimetalelement l5, flexible shunt conductor le, and the conductor 83 to theother load terminal tl.

Upon the occurrence of an overload current in either of the circuits,depending upon the particular contacts i9-2i or 23-25 that are closed,the related bimetalelement 'i3 or l5 will be heated by the overloadcurrent and when heated a predetermined amount deflects outwardly andreleases the corresponding actuator 63 or 35. The spring 6l then drivesthe released actuator in a direction to engage a projection 95 or 9i onthe released actuator with a pin 99 projecting laterally from the handle53 to move the handle toward the central off position disengaging theroller 5@ from the notch ti in the switch member desired. For example,the double-throw circuit breaker of this invention may be used forcontrolling a lighting system arranged to give either bright or dimlighting. lf, for example, the bright lights require 20 amperes and thedim lights only l0 amperes, the wire of the dim light circuit may besmaller than the wire of the bright light circuit, and each bimetallicelement will be chosen to cause opening of the breaker when the safecurrent for its particular circuit is exceeded.

The released actuator t3 or t5 can be manually reset andrelatchedfollowing an automatic opening operation and the contacts of thecorresponding circuit manually closed by e, single movement of thehandle in the proper direction to close the contacts. For example, inFig. l the actuator 63 is shown in dotted lines at 63a' in thetripped-open position with the projection 95 resting against the pin @9.By rotating the handle 5? in a clockwise direction slightly beyond theclosed contact position, the roller 59 effects closing of the contactsiii-2 i, in the previously described manner, and with the same movementof the handle, the pin 99 rotates the actuator 63 from the posi- 'uon'shown at esa to the run-une position in which it is restrained bythelatch 39. The actuator 65 is relatched in a similar mannerby counauaicoterclockwise rotation of the handle to close the contacts 23-25.

The circuit breaker is adapted for assembly either as a double-throwbreaker or as a singlethrow breaker. illustrated in Fig. 3, the stop isomitted and a switch member |0| pivotally mounted on a. pin |03supported in the side walls I3 is substituted According to themodification' for the switch member 39 of the. Fig. 1 embodiment. A slot|04 in the switch member surrounds present in the original embodimentare also omitted. The spring El is hooked over a pin |09 at one end. Theswitch member |0| is connected'to a conductor ||5 by means of a.flexible shunt con-` "i"- the handle to the oi position. Movement ofductor |01 and the conductor |5 is secured to the Th'e mechanism can bemanually reset and the contacts reclosed by moving the handle to the "onposition. This movement closes the contacts and at the same time returnsthe actuator back to its latched position.

In the Figure 3 modication of the invention v the operating handle 53can be vmoved counterclockwise to a locked on position to the left' ofthev ofi position. This makes it possible`to close the contacts andmaintain them locked closed irrespective of the operation of the tripdevice and actuator 63, and without the necessity of manually holdingthe handle in the closed position.

When the handle 53 is moved in a counterclockwise direction from the offposition, the roller 59 actuates the switch mem-ber |0| to close thecontacts. At the end of the counterclock- Wise closing movement of thehandle the roller 59 enters a retaining recess H3 where it retains thehandle in the locked on position and maintains the contacts closed. Withthe handle in this position the actuator 63,;when released in responseto an overload current, will move idly base and electrically connectedto the terminal .81 by means of a rivet H1. All other parts of the Fig.3 modification are like the corresponding parts in the Fig. 1modification and have been given corresponding reference numerals.

The circuit through the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 3 extends from theterminal 85 through the member 8|, flexible shunt conductor 11, bimetalelement 13, member 3|, conductor 21. contacts |9|05 when closed. switchmember |0|. flexible `shunt conductor ill'l, and conductor 5 to theterminal 81.

The operation of the Fig. 3 modification, assuming the breaker to be inthe open position as shown. is as follows: In order to close thecontacts |9| 05 the handle 53 is rotated from its "off position in aclockwise direction to the on position. During this movement the roller59 on the inner end of the handle rotates the switch member |0| incounterclockwise or closing direction about the pivot pin |03, thespring maintaining the bottom of the slot |04 in contact with the pin|03.- Continued movement of the handle after the movable contact l |05engages the stationary contact |9 causes the switch member i0| to rotateslightly clockwise about the contacts as a fulcrum; the slot |04 movingdownwardly over the pin |03, until the roller 59 on the handle is seatedin a retaining notch The contacts -are now closed and` contact pressureis applied by the spring 45 which now biases the switch member |0|counter-clockwise about the roller 59 as a fulcrum..

The contacts are opened manually by moving the handle 53 to the offposition which permits .gircuits Y controlled by the eaker is providedwith a trip until it strikes the stop 49, and will not displace thehandle from the locked on position.

The contacts may be opened by movement of the handle from theofPposition tothe on position closes the contacts and resets theactuator in the previously described manner.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that there isprovided in accordance with the Fig. l embodiment a very simpledouble-throw circuit breaker having a single operating member forselectively closing and opening one or the other of two Each of thecircuits device and al releasable actuator. Each of the trip devicesfisoperable in response to overload current in its related circuit toeffect operation of the corresponding actuator to thereby cause openingof the related circuit,

c -According to the Fig. 3 embodiment of the invention the operatingmechanism has two positions at which the breaker contacts are closed, atone of the two closed positions the breaker contacts will be openedautomatically in response to abnormal circuit conditions, and at theother closed position of the mechanism the breaker contacts are lockedin the closed position irrespective of the load condition of thecircuit.

Having described several embodiments of the invention in accordance withthe patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made in the structural details thereof withoutdeparting from some of the essential features of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A circuit breaker for selectively controlling a plurality ofcircuits, comprising a plurality of stationary contacts, a single switchmember movable to selectively engage said stationary contacts ,toselectively close said circuits, manual means having a neutral openposition and operable in either direction from said open position toclosed position to move Asaid switch mem.-

ber to selectively engage said stationary contacts,

said plurality of stationary contacts and said single switch member allbeing substantially in line along the plane of movement of said manualmeans, a plurality of biased members each releasable to effect automaticopening of said contacts, a separate thermostatic element for eachcircuit heated in response to overload current in its cir- 7 cuit landnormally restraining a corresponding one of said releasable members,each of said thermostatic elements Ibeing operable when heated apredetermined amount in response to overload current to release itsassociated releasable member to thereby effect movement of the switchmember to open position.

2. A circuit breaker for selectively controlling either of two circuitscomprising, two sets of contacts, a single contact actuating membermovable to selectively close either set of contacts, manual means formoving said Contact actuating member to selectively close said sets ofcontacts, a

pair of biased members each being'releasable to effect automatic openingmovement of a corresponding set of said contacts, said releasablemembers and said contact actuating member all, being substantially inline with the plane of movement of said manual means, a thermostaticelement for restraining each of said releasable members, each of saidelements being disposed to be individually heated in response to thecurrent of its related circuit, and each of said thermostatic elementsbeing operable when heated a predetermined amount to release theassociated releasable member to effect opening of the corresponding setof contacts.

3. A circuit breaker for selectively controlling a plurality of circuitscomprising a plurality of stationary contacts, a plurality ofcooperating movable contacts, a floating switch member for supportingsaid movable contacts, manual means for moving said switch member from aneutral open position in either direction to closed position toselectively close said contacts, said manual means restraining saidswitch member in said closed position,`a plurality of biased memberseach independently releasable to effect automatic opening of saidcontacts, a plurality of thermostatic elements, one associated with eachof said releasable members, for restraining said releasable members,each of said thermostatc elements being disposed to be heated by thecurrent of one of said circuits and operable when heated a predeterminedamount to release its associated releasable member to thereby effectopening movement of the switch member.

4. A circuit breaker for selectively controlling `a plurality ofcircuits comprising a plurality of sets of separable contacts, afloating switch memoer having a central open position and movable ineither direction from said open position to closed position forselectively closing said circuits, an operating handle for moving saidswitch member to manually open and close said circuits, said handlebeing eiective to restrain said switch member in the selected closedposition, a plurality of biased members each releasable to cause saidhandle to release said switch member, a thermostatic element related toeach circuit each of said elements being disposed to be heated by thecurrent of its related circuit, each thermorstatic element beingoperable when heated a contacts, said handle being engageable withportions of said switch member to releasably restrain the switch memberin the selected closed position, releasable members movable in oppositedirections when released to cause release of s'aid switch member, and aseparate current responsive trip device operable in response to overloadcurrents in each circuit to release the corresponding releasable member.

6. Acircuit breaker for selectively controlling a plurality of circuitscomprising a set of separable contacts related to each circuit, a singlecontact actuating member movable from a neutral open position in eitherdirection from said open position to selectively close said sets ofcontacts, operating mechanism for said contact actuating memberincluding a handle for moving said switch member to selectively closeeither set of contacts, a plurality of biased members each operable whenreleased to elect movement a plurality of circuits comprising a set ofsepthere being aseparate bimetal element heated in response to each ofthe circuits, said sets of separable contacts and said separate bimetalelements all being substantially in `line along the plane of movement ofsaid handle, each of said bimetal elements being operable when 00direction to close one or" said sets of contacts and movable in anotherdirection from said open position'to close theother set of'contacts,manual means operable to move said switch member in either direction toselectively close said contacts,

5 av plurality of actuators operable to eiect movement of said manualmeans to cause automatic opening of said contacts, a current responsiveelement connected in each circuit and operatively related to theassociated actuators, each current responsive element being responsiveto the curhandle for moving said switch member in either direction fromsaid open .position to selectively engage the movable contacts with saidstationary of movement of said manual means.

' operable in response to abnormal conditions to release said releasablemeans, operating mechanism including an operating handlel for openingand closing said contact means, said operating handle having twopositions in which said contact means are closed, said handle when inone of said two positions maintaining said contacts closed irrespectiveof the current responsive means and being operable by said releasablemeans when in the other of said two positions to cause automatic openingof said contact means.

10. In a circuit breaker, the lcombination or relatively movable contactmeans, a switch member operable to open and closed positions for openingand closing said contact means, operating means for said switch memberincluding an operating handle having two positions in which said switchmember is in closed position, releas-v able means for engaging andoperating said handle to eiIect automatic opening movement of saidswitch member, and thermostatic means operable in response topredetermined abnormal conditions to release said releasable means, saidhandle when in one of said two positions maintaining said switch memberin closed position irrespective of operation of said releasable meansand being operable by said releasable .means whenin the other oi saidtwo positions to cause automatic movement of said switch member to openposition.

11. In a circuit breaker, the combination oifA stationary contact means,a singleswitch member, movable-contact means on said switch member forcooperating 4with said stationary contact means, operating mechanism forsaid switch member/including an operating handle having two positions inwhich the contact means are closed, actuating means4 pivoted coaxiallywith said handle and releasable to engage and operate said handle tocause automatic opening of said contact means, said stationarycontactmeans and said single lswitch member and said actuating means allbeing substantially in line along Athe plane of movement of said handle,,and

thermostatic means operable in response to overload currents to releasesaid actuating means, said handle when moved to close said contact meansresetting the actuating means.

12. A circuit breakerfor selectively controlling either one of twocircuits comprising two sets of separable contacts, a single switchactuating member having a central open position and movable in eitherdirection from said open position to closed positions for selectivelyclosing said sets of contacts,'an operating handle for moving saidcircuit, and each thermostatic element being operable when heated apredetf'erniined` amount to Y 'release the corresponding releasablemember.

13.In a circuit breaker, the combination of stationary contact means,a-switch member having a V-shaped cam thereon and provided with vlocking recesses, movable contact means on said -sWitch member forcooperating with said lstationary contact means, operating mechanism for.said switch member including an operating handle having a central openposition and having a roller thereon cooperating with said V-.shapedcam,`said handle having two positions in which the contact means areclosed and in which the roller engages said locking recesses torestrainv said switch member in closed position, spring means biasingsaid switch member to open position and through said switch memberbiasing said handle4 to said'central open position said.

spring means also applying contact pressure when said contacts areclosed, actuating means releasable to engage and operate said handle tocause automatic opening of said contact means, and electro-responsivemeans operable in response to overload currents to release saidactuating means. y

i4. In a circuit breaker, the combination of relatively movablecontacts, a switch member movable to open and `close said contacts, saidswitch member being provided with aV-shaped cam having a locking recessat each end thereof, operating mechanism including an operating handlehaving an operating roller thereonengaging said cam, said handle havinga` central open posi-- tion and -movable to two positions to operatesaid switch member to close said contacts, said roller in each of saidtwo positions engaging a locking recess to restrain said switch member`and said handle in closed position, an actuating member releasable toengage and operate saidhandle to effect automatic opening of saidcontacts, and electro-responsive means operable in response to overloadcurrents to release said actuating member.

15. In a circuit breaker, the combination of stationary contact means, aswitch member having means forreceiving a roller thereon, movablecontact means thereon for cooperating with said stationary contactmeans, operating mechanism for said -sw'itch member comprising 'apivoted operating handle, 'a roller carried by said handle cooperatingwith said switch member, spring means providing pressure engagement ofsaid switch member and said roller, a releasable trip member biased totripping position and operable when released to operate said handle andause automatic opening of said contact mea Y', nd

electroresponsive means normally restrai" ng said trip member andoperable in response to overload currents to release said trip member.

16. In a circuit breaker, the combination of stationary contact meansy afloating switch member having a portion thereof formed to receive aroller, movable contact means thereon for cooperating withsaidstationary. contact means, 55 operating mechanism for said switchmember comprising a pivoted operating handle, a roller carried by saidhandle cooperating with the formed portion oi said switch member,.spring means biasing said switch member to the open position andprovidin-g contact pressure when said switch member is closed, areleasable trip member biased to tripping position and operable whenreleased to operate said handle and cause automatic opening oi saidcontact means, and electro- It responsive means normally restrainingsaid trip member and operable in response to overload currents torelease said trip member, said handle `when moved to close said contactmeans resetting ating with said stationary contact means, oper atingmechanism for said switch member comprisinga pivoted operating handle, aroller on said handle cooperating with said V-shaped cam sur= face formoving said switch member to open and close said contact means, springmeans for providing a pressure engagement of said roller with saidV-shaped cam surface and for providing con tact pressure when saidcontact means is closed, actuating means pivoter?` coaxially with said12 handle and releasable to operate said handle to effect automaticopening of said contact means,

spring means biasing said actuating means vto i operated position, andcurrent responsive means normally restraining said actuating means andoperable in response to overload currents to release said actuatingmeans.

GERALD J. FREESE.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNTTED STATES PATENTS Rubens May 22, 1934i

